When trout are rising during a Callibaetis hatch, a dry fly or emerger makes perfect sense--yet the nymph can sometimes outproduce both. When the trout prefer nymphs, I fish my Anatomical Callibaetis from just under the surface--so it’s nearly exposing its wingcase--to just out of sight a foot or two below the surface with a slow and varied hand-twist retrieve. Before the hatch, an Anatomical Callibaetis fished near weedbeds can stir up some action. In clear, weedy lakes--the best Callibaetis lakes—when nothing is hatching, I often search the depths with a cast or trolled Anatomical Callibaetis on a fast-sinking, full-sinking line.

I’ve not forgotten that the Skip Nymph series has caught lots of tough trout across the U.S., in Canada, and overseas. And I still think it is the best choice when I’m not certain what the trout are taking--after all, impressionistic nymphs may suggest several possibilities, increasing the odds of covering the correct insect. But if I’m convinced the trout are onto the nymph of a specific mayfly species, please hand me an Anatomical.

This article originally appeared in the May 2007 issue of Fly Fisherman.